Jason Aldean and Ludacris at Sanford Stadium in Athens

Why Musicians Think Georgia Rocks

Ray Charles and Little Richard. James Brown and Otis Redding. The Allman Brothers. R.E.M. Outkast. Georgia’s musical heritage is as rich and diverse as the state itself. Country star Luke Bryan, who hails from the south Georgia town of Leesburg, knows this well. “In Georgia, there’s shoreline, there’s mountains, there’s farmland, there’s rural areas, there’s metropolitan areas — and there’s all the people that make up all that,” Bryan says. “It’s inspiration.”

Georgia's musical cities

Chat with Georgia musicians about the state’s musical legacy, and the discussion typically starts with pioneers like Albany-born Ray Charles or Augusta’s James Brown. However, in addition to name-checking the legends, artists are quick to credit Georgia cities as musical inspiration.

The creative environment of Athens birthed R.E.M., the B-52s, and Widespread Panic, while the melting pot of Atlanta has proved fertile launching ground for big names in music, including Ludacris, Lil Jon, Indigo Girls, Sugarland, Black Crowes, Third Day, and the Grammy-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The Augusta area gave rise to Lady A, while Zac Brown was influenced by his upbringing in Dahlonega. “Georgia has such a rich musical heritage covering all genres,” says Otis Redding III, whose own hometown, Macon, launched the careers of his father, the Allman Brothers Band, and Jason Aldean.

Find must-see venues, music festivals, and other points of interest in Georgia's musical cities.

Musical diversity in Georgia

David Barbe, a musician and producer who directs the University of Georgia’s music business program in Athens, agrees. “One of the cool things about music in the state of Georgia is that it’s not defined by one kind of music,” he says. “We have R&B, hip hop, gospel, and an amazing symphony orchestra. Georgia has it all.”

Live music in Georgia

Live performances are in ample supply. A year-round slate of music festivals keeps toes tapping, and music venues across the state host live performances nightly. “On any given night, there are hundreds of venues and hundreds of bands playing,” says Claire Campbell of the Athens band Hope For Agoldensummer. “It’s great here!”

Check Georgia's music festival lineup to find upcoming shows.